BLET News
BLET members vote to ratify new national freight rail contract
BLET members, by a 70 percent majority of those voting, approved the five-year agreement that addresses rates of pay and other issues for more than 12,000 BLET members.
One day left to vote for the BLET Tentative National Agreement
Tomorrow is the deadline for voting on the BLET’s Tentative National agreement. Submit your ballot on or before 11:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, December 30. Need a replacement ballot? Call the BLET National Division’s automated voice mail line to have one emailed to you:...
Tentative National Agreement: It’s easy to vote
Did you know voting on the BLET’s tentative national contract is a fast and simple process? It takes just a few minutes to scan the QR code on your ballot and vote with your smart phone. Make your voice heard today! Deadline: Submit your ballot on or before 11:00 a.m....
FRA issues safety advisory for rail workers after fatalities at passive grade crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety advisory (SA 2025-02) on December 10 to emphasize the importance of determining that the “track is clear” prior to shoving or pushing movements across highway-rail grade crossings equipped only with flashing...
Tentative National Agreement: Have you voted yet? There’s still time to request a replacement ballot ahead of December 30 deadline
Voting is ongoing in the BLET’s tentative national agreement with freight railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee. If you have not voted yet, there is still time to cast your ballot ahead of the December 30 deadline. Additionally, if you...
FRA cracks down on the cross-border train operations thanks to outreach from BLET
On Friday, December 19, on an issue of great importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is cracking down on...
BLET members in Jackson, Miss. and Memphis, Tenn. combine to donate over 270 bicycles to their communities this holiday season
BLET member Daniel Palin, who belongs to the Marine Corps League, accepts the Toys for Tots trophy on behalf of BLET Division 203 members in Jackson, Miss. ____________________ Congratulations to the Brothers and Sisters of BLET Division 203 (Jackson, Miss.) and...
New Jersey: Merry Christmas from BLET Division 601
In the cab of Conrail’s 2025 Santa Train, from left: Chris Barany, his children Cordelia and Christopher, Phil Burgos, and conductor Gene Zebrowski. _____________________ The members of Division 601 helped spread holiday cheer throughout North Jersey on December 20....
BLET Education & Training Dept.: Refresher courses via Zoom help Secretary-Treasurers with end-of-year requirements and new payroll application launching January 1, 2026
The BLET Education & Training Department conducted two Zoom-based Secretary-Treasurer refresher training sessions December 16-18 to help subordinate officers prepare for end-of-year requirements and to provide instruction for a new payroll application that will...
It’s on to the governor’s desk as New Jersey state legislature passes BLET-backed rail safety bill
From left: Brother Arias and Brother Vigil ____________________ A BLET-backed rail safety bill is now headed to the governor’s desk in New Jersey after an overwhelming majority of the state’s Senate and Assembly Members voted to approve the measure on the evening of...
Replacement ballots now available for BLET-NYSW contract vote
BLET members who work at the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be counted on Monday, December 29. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the National Division to have...
Tentative National Agreement: Telephone hotline to request a replacement ballot opens on December 22
The dedicated voicemail line to request replacement ballots for voting on the tentative national agreement will open Monday morning, December 22. Eligible BLET members who have not received a ballot by Monday should request a replacement by calling the BLET National...
Division 269 honors retirees, presents Engineer of the Year award to Eric Ramos, at its 58th annual Dinner Dance
From left: LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang, Superintendent of Engine Service Kevin Flynn, Engineer of the Year Eric Ramos, and Division 269 President Karl Bischoff. ____________________ BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment...
Regulatory Win: The U.S. government cracks down on the cross-border operations of UP and CPKC
Today, on an issue of importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration is cracking down on the cross-border train operations of both Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited. The FRA has determined that a lack of basic English language proficiency exhibited by Mexican train crews operating trains into the United States for the two railroads poses a serious safety risk.
RRB announces Tier I and Tier II tax adjustments for 2026; Also, Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles will increase
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced this month that the amounts of compensation subject to Railroad Retirement Tier I and Tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2026, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. The Tier I tax rate on...
New law better protects railroad workers from assault
From left: BLET New England Legislative Board Chairman Daniel Cadogan with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey at the signing ceremony. ____________________ Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a bill into law in December that better protects the safety and...
Vice President Pete Semenek to retire, concluding his 34-year railroad career
From left: BLET President Mark Wallace congratulated Vice President Pete Semenek on his upcoming retirement during the December BLET Advisory Board meeting. Photo by Bonnie Brihan ____________________ The BLET Advisory Board held its final meeting of 2025 on December...
BLET, BMWED to oppose the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division representing 53 percent of the unionized workforce at the Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Corporation, announced their opposition to the...
Voting continues as BLET members consider tentative national agreement
Voting continues on the BLET’s tentative national agreement. Ballots were mailed December 5 to 12,000+ BLET members. The vote count and the announcement of the results is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30. Earlier this month the BLET wrapped up its series of nine...
James Rasnick continues proud CSX Santa Train tradition for members of BLET Division 781
Every November since the 1940s, Santa Claus trades his sleigh and reindeer for a CSX train ride through Appalachia with a member of BLET Division 781 (Erwin, Tennessee) at the controls. This year it was James Rasnick’s turn. The 26-year member of Division 781 operated...
Daily Headlines
Associated Press: BLET, BMWED oppose UP-NS merger
“This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said.
UP, NS shareholders support $85 billion merger
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board must still approve it before the deal can be completed.
NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal accident involving BLET member working as a BNSF conductor
The worker killed was identified as 52-year-old Daniel Peterson of Billings, Mont., a member of BLET Division 232 (Laurel, Montana).
CN reports Q3 2025 results
CN reported that its net income was C$1,139 million in Q3 2025, an increase of C$54 million, or 5%.
CPCK reports Q3 2025 results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced its third-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion.
BNSF reports Q3 2025 results
The railway’s operating ratio was 64.1%, a 1-point improvement over a year ago.
Union Pacific reports Q3 2025 results
Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 third quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $3.01 per diluted share. Results include merger costs of $41 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2025 results
For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, operating ratio was 64.6%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.16.
CSX reports Q3 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced third quarter operating income of $1.09 billion and net earnings of $694 million, or $0.37 per share. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported operating income of $1.35 billion and net earnings of $894 million, or $0.46 per share.
Railroads spurn C3RS, a safety system designed to prevent accidents
Class I freight railroads incorrectly assume a punitive approach to safety gets the best results.
